PUBG Weapons Guide: Every Gun, Ammo Type and Attachment
November 9, 2026 · 7 min read
On this page
- Weapon classes at a glance
- Ammo types: which ammo every gun uses
- Assault rifles
- DMRs and sniper rifles
- SMGs, shotguns and LMGs
- Handguns, melee and special weapons
- Attachments explained
- Muzzle attachments
- Grips
- Sights and scopes
- Magazines
- Stocks
- Weapon changes in 2026
- How to loot smarter
- Frequently asked questions
- What ammo does the M416 use?
- What guns use 7.62mm in PUBG?
- What ammo does the UMP use in PUBG?
- Was the Mosin Nagant removed from PUBG?
- What is the best attachment for recoil in PUBG?
- What does the Hybrid Scope do?
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS weapons fall into seven main gun classes: assault rifles (AR), designated marksman rifles (DMR), sniper rifles (SR), submachine guns (SMG), shotguns, light machine guns (LMG) and handguns. Most guns use one of three common ammo types: 5.56mm, 7.62mm or 9mm. Knowing which ammo your gun takes, and which attachments fit it, is the fastest way to loot efficiently.
Last checked: November 9, 2026. The weapon and ammo data comes from KRAFTON's official weapon pages and recent patch notes.
Weapon classes at a glance
| Class | Best range | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Assault rifle (AR) | Close to mid | Versatile all-rounder with good damage and fire rate |
| DMR | Mid to long | Fast follow-up shots at range |
| Sniper rifle (SR) | Long | High damage and accuracy, often one shot to the head |
| SMG | Close | Mobility and rapid fire |
| Shotgun | Very close | Pellet spread that punishes close encounters |
| LMG | Close to mid | Large magazines and sustained fire |
| Handgun | Close | Basic backup weapon |
You can carry two primary weapons and a handgun. A common pairing is an AR for most fights plus a DMR or sniper rifle for long range, but any two classes can work.
Ammo types: which ammo every gun uses
| Ammo | Guns |
|---|---|
| 5.56mm | M416, M16A4, SCAR-L, G36C, QBZ, K2, AUG, FAMAS (ARs); Mini14, Mk12 (DMRs); M249 (LMG) |
| 7.62mm | AKM, Beryl M762, Mk47 Mutant, Groza, ACE32 (ARs); SKS, SLR, Mk14, Dragunov (DMRs); Kar98k, M24 (SRs); MG3, RPD (LMGs); R1895 (handgun) |
| 9mm | UMP, Vector, Micro UZI, MP5K, MP9, JS9, Tommy Gun (SMGs); VSS (DMR); P18C, P92, Skorpion (handguns) |
| 12 Gauge | S12K, S1897, S686, DBS, Sawed-Off (shotguns) |
| 12 Gauge Slug | O12 (shotgun) |
| .45 ACP | Win94 (SR), Deagle (handgun) |
| 5.7mm | P90 (SMG) |
| .300 Magnum | AWM (SR) |
| .50 Caliber | Lynx AMR (SR) |
| Bolt | Crossbow |
A few things that trip up returning players:
- All world-spawned SMGs use 9mm. Update 30.1 (June 2024) moved the UMP and Tommy Gun from .45 ACP to 9mm and renamed the UMP45 to simply UMP. The P90 is the exception with its own 5.7mm ammo.
- 7.62mm feeds the most guns. It covers ARs, DMRs, the Kar98k and M24, two LMGs and a revolver, so you'll find a use for it almost anywhere.
- The VSS is a 9mm DMR. It shares ammo with SMGs, not other DMRs.
Assault rifles
KRAFTON describes ARs as versatile weapons with decent damage and fire rate for mid-range fights. There are 13:
- 5.56mm: M416, M16A4, SCAR-L, G36C, QBZ, K2, AUG, FAMAS
- 7.62mm: AKM, Beryl M762, Mk47 Mutant, Groza, ACE32
In KRAFTON's own stat bars, the 7.62mm ARs generally rate higher for damage per bullet, while most 5.56mm ARs rate higher for stability. The M416 is a common favorite, partly because it accepts all five attachment types: muzzle, grip, sight, magazine and stock.
DMRs and sniper rifles
DMRs are semi-automatic rifles for mid-range and longer targets: Mini14, Mk12, SKS, SLR, Mk14, Dragunov and VSS.
Sniper rifles trade fire rate for damage and accuracy at long range: Kar98k, M24, Win94, AWM and Lynx AMR. The AWM and Lynx AMR each need their own ammo (.300 Magnum and .50 Caliber), while the Kar98k and M24 share 7.62mm with many other guns.
SMGs, shotguns and LMGs
- SMGs are built for mobility and rapid fire at close range: UMP, Vector, Micro UZI, MP5K, MP9, P90, JS9 and Tommy Gun.
- Shotguns fire spreading pellets and shine in sudden close-range fights: S12K, S1897, S686, DBS, Sawed-Off and the slug-firing O12.
- LMGs offer big magazines for sustained fire: M249, MG3 and RPD.
Handguns, melee and special weapons
- Handguns: P18C, P92, Skorpion, R1895 and Deagle. They're the basic secondary weapon and a last resort if you land without a rifle.
- Melee: Pan, Machete, Crowbar, Sickle and Pickaxe.
- Throwables: Frag Grenade, Smoke Grenade, Stun Grenade, Molotov Cocktail, BZ Grenade, Sticky Bomb and C4.
- Special: Crossbow, M79 (fires smoke grenades), Mortar, Panzerfaust and the Stun Gun.
Attachments explained
Attachments go into five slots: muzzle, grip (foregrip), sight, magazine and stock. Not every gun has every slot, and many attachments come in versions for specific weapon groups, such as an AR compensator and a separate SMG compensator.
Muzzle attachments
| Attachment | What it does |
|---|---|
| Compensator | Strongly reduces recoil. Versions for ARs and DMRs, DMRs and SRs, and SMGs |
| Muzzle Brake | Reduces recoil and sight sway while firing (ARs, DMRs, O12, S12K) |
| Flash Hider | Hides muzzle flash and slightly reduces recoil |
| Suppressor | Removes muzzle flash, makes shots quieter and improves hip-fire accuracy |
| Choke | Tightens pellet spread (S1897, S686, Sawed-Off) |
| Duckbill | Reduces vertical pellet spread (S12K, S1897) |
A Compensator is the usual choice for spraying, while a Suppressor helps you stay hidden. It's especially useful on sniper rifles and DMRs, where enemies would otherwise hear where you are.
Grips
| Grip | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vertical Foregrip | Greatly reduces vertical recoil |
| Half Grip | Reduces recoil and sway while holding your breath, and speeds recovery after single shots |
| Lightweight Grip | Reduces recoil and sway when holding your breath and firing |
| Thumb Grip | Faster aim-down-sights (ADS), with less vertical recoil and breathing sway |
| Tilted Grip | Reduces recoil and sight sway while firing |
| Laser Sight | Improves hip-fire accuracy |
For full-auto fire, start with the Vertical Foregrip, since vertical climb is the hardest part of recoil to control. The Laser Sight takes the grip slot on many guns, so pick it only if you hip-fire a lot.
Sights and scopes
| Sight | Magnification |
|---|---|
| Red Dot Sight | None (simple reticle) |
| Holographic Sight | None (simple reticle) |
| Hybrid Scope | Switches between 1x and 4x |
| 2x, 3x, 4x Scopes | Fixed 2x, 3x or 4x |
| 6x Scope | Adjustable 3x to 6x |
| 8x Scope | Adjustable 4x to 8x |
| 15x Scope | Adjustable 8x to 15x |
The 8x and 15x scopes only fit long-range guns: most sniper rifles and DMRs, plus the M16A4 and Mk47 Mutant. Higher magnification also slows your aim-in.
Magazines
| Magazine | Effect |
|---|---|
| Extended Mag | More bullets per magazine |
| QuickDraw Mag | Faster reloads |
| Extended QuickDraw Mag | Both: more bullets and faster reloads |
Each comes in versions for ARs, DMRs and LMGs (plus the S12K), for DMRs and SRs, and for handguns and SMGs. Always swap to an Extended QuickDraw Mag when you find one.
Stocks
| Stock | Fits | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Stock | M416, M16A4, ACE32, Mk47 Mutant, MP5K, Vector, M249, RPD | Less recoil, faster ADS, better recovery after single shots |
| Heavy Stock | Some ARs, SMGs and LMGs | Mainly reduces recoil, with handling trade-offs |
| Cheek Pad | Most sniper rifles and some DMRs | Less vertical recoil and sway |
| Bullet Loops | Kar98k, Win94, S1897, S686 | Faster reloads |
| Folding Stock | Micro UZI, MP9, Skorpion | Less vertical recoil and better single-shot recovery |
KRAFTON's own descriptions of the Heavy Stock differ between weapons, so check the in-game tooltip before choosing it over a Tactical Stock.
Weapon changes in 2026
- Six guns were removed. With Update 42.1 in June 2026, KRAFTON removed the Mosin Nagant, R45, DP-28, PP-19 Bizon, P1911 and QBU from the game, along with their skins. Older guides that recommend them are out of date.
- The LMG Meta Rotation ended early. The August 2026 update added the RPD and buffed LMGs as the first "Meta Rotation." KRAFTON decided LMGs had become stronger than intended, so Update 44.1 in November returned the M249 and MG3 to their pre-August balance and brought the RPD in line with them. KRAFTON says it will try Meta Rotations again in 2027.
Weapon balance changes often, so check the latest patch notes if a gun suddenly feels different.
How to loot smarter
- Grab ammo for the guns you have. Use the table above, and don't waste space on ammo you can't use.
- Look for a scope early. A red dot or holographic sight helps close up, while a 3x to 6x scope covers most longer fights.
- Fill the key slots first. On an AR, a muzzle, a vertical grip and an extended magazine make the biggest difference.
- Keep an eye on care packages. They hold high-level loot, but the red smoke tells everyone nearby where they landed.
Once you know your guns, put them to use on the right map. Our PUBG maps guide covers every map and the current rotation.
Frequently asked questions
What ammo does the M416 use?
The M416 uses 5.56mm ammo. The other 5.56mm ARs are the M16A4, SCAR-L, G36C, QBZ, K2, AUG and FAMAS, and the Mini14, Mk12 and M249 also use it.
What guns use 7.62mm in PUBG?
7.62mm is used by the AKM, Beryl M762, Mk47 Mutant, Groza and ACE32 ARs, the SKS, SLR, Mk14 and Dragunov DMRs, the Kar98k and M24 sniper rifles, the MG3 and RPD LMGs and the R1895 revolver.
What ammo does the UMP use in PUBG?
The UMP uses 9mm. Update 30.1 in June 2024 switched it and the Tommy Gun from .45 ACP to 9mm, and renamed the UMP45 to UMP.
Was the Mosin Nagant removed from PUBG?
Yes. Update 42.1 in June 2026 removed the Mosin Nagant, R45, DP-28, PP-19 Bizon, P1911 and QBU from the game, along with their skins.
What is the best attachment for recoil in PUBG?
For full-auto fire, a Compensator on the muzzle and a Vertical Foregrip are the strongest recoil reducers. A Tactical Stock helps further on the guns that accept one.
What does the Hybrid Scope do?
The Hybrid Scope switches between 1x and 4x magnification, so you can use it both up close and at mid-range. It fits the same guns as the 2x to 6x scopes.
